1985 "tower of power" question

[boydog]

my 115 enrichment valve is clicking but nothing comes out of either hose, see if it is connected correctly, top hose goes to top carb
bottom hose goes to a tee that feeds all carbs
does it matter which way it mounts (see pic) appears to me to be upside down but if it doesnt matter....
thanks guys
which connection pulls the fuel

 

[racerone]

The enricher is not a pump.----It is a valve.----Push key in and hold it in while cranking the motor over.-----Reverse the hoses if that does not start it instantly.

 

[boydog]

thanks i understand i am to hold the key in while starting, but doesnt it give a "shot" of fuel to the carbs when pushed in? in other words shouldnt i see it "pump" fuel if i unplug one of the hoses?

 

[racerone]

No it is not a pump.-----What is your motor doing / not doing ?----What other trouble shooting have you done on the motor ?

 

[flyingscott]

No that is not how they work. They use the fuel pump to push fuel through and the pump only works when the motor is spinning.

 

[boydog]

wont start! i have fire on all 6, bulb is new, carbs clean, valve clicks, wont hit.
im going to switch those valve hoses and advise

 

[racerone]

No the fuel pump does NOT push fuel through the enricher on a MERCURY motor.----Fuel is drawn from the carburetor bowl and that fuel is at atmospheric pressure !

 

[boydog]

thanks, switched hoses around no change, will not fire off, disconnected fuel line at fuel pump, fuel pumping fine, not sure where else to look....

 

[boydog]

ok sprayed mixed fuel into carbs with sprayer, she fired right off, runs fine, enricher valve is working bc as she is running i pushed it and the motor started misfiring.
biggest question is i know shouldnt have to go through that each time i want to use it, is it losing prime?
thanks for the help so far!
what do you guys think?

 

[racerone]

What other trouble shooting has been done on this motor ?-----How long have you owned it ?------Did this condition show up suddenly ?----Do you raise the " throttle only " lever on the controls , yes or no ?

 

[jimmbo]

A 1985 motor would have most likely came with a 'push the square button' on the pivot point of the throttle lever for fast idle in neutral, type of control

 

[boydog]

ive owned it about a year, fires right up on the hose, hard start in the water, no cold start lever as i have a hot foot, 2 new switchboxes, carbs cleaned by merc dealer.
what are you thinking?

 

[roscoe]

Gonna have to find a way to advance throttle to 1/2 or 3/4. to get her to start properly.

On mine, I advance throttle, then use the enricher for 3 seconds of cranking. Any longer and she has a tendency to flood.

 

[Faztbullet]

Pump the bulb up tight, barely push hot foot, turn key on and push in for 5 seconds and then crank holding key in till it hits...

 

[boydog]

update! took above advice from all, she blast right off every time now!!! even in the water! thanks so much guys!
hope i can return the favor some day